Holistic Medicine NYC - Dr. Ivy Branin: Holistic Doctor in New York City
Dr. Ivy Branin is a Naturopathic Doctor who specializes in naturopathic, functional, and holistic medicine in NYC. Book an appointment with Dr. Ivy for a holistic medicine consultation.
What is holistic medicine?
Rather than just focusing on the physical symptoms of a patient, holistic medicine is a form of healing that look at the “whole” person. The mind, spirit, and emotions, in addition to the body, are all considered important factors for optimal health and wellness. So all these elements of a persons well-being are addressed when working with a holistic medicine practitioner in New York City such as myself.
What is holistic medicine used for?
Holistic medicine is used for patients who are looking for an alternative to a pharmaceutical/Western-medicine approach to their condition. These patients might have experienced side effects, have not found pharmaceuticals to be effective, or who don’t want to be burdened by pharmaceuticals. Sometimes conventional medicine has no answer at all.
Holistic medicine in NYC can be used for a variety of conditions, including, but not limited to:
How does holistic medicine work?
After completing a thorough case history with supportive diagnostic work (labs, imaging study), the practitioner starts their work as a medical detective to determine what are the underlying causes that are creating the symptoms and distress (the dis-ease) in this patient. Holistic practitioners do not use natural remedies to manage symptoms, but rather we want to eliminate whatever is causing the symptoms in the first place.
Often, holistic practitioners address body systems using nutrients and herbs to strengthen the biochemical processes of the body. It is important to consider how the different systems effect each other. For example, stress triggers adrenal glands into overdrive which leads to compromised digestion and eventually skin issues.
Another factor is obstacles to cure. Here we look at the different aspects of the patient’s lifestyle, environment, and diet that could be preventing the patient from getting better, and thinking about the underlying factors that maintain these behaviors and choices (mental, spiritual, and emotional).
Does holistic medicine really work?
When the cause of the patient’s condition is identified and the proper holistic approach is selected and followed faithfully by the patient, holistic medicine in New York City can be highly effective.
How long does holistic medicine take?
Holistic medicine is very much a process, and any claims of overnight results are highly suspect. Most patients need to be on a protocol for a minimum of three months to achieve their desired results and more complex cases can take a year.
Benefits of holistic medicine
Holistic medicine has so many benefits, that I can’t list them all. But here’s the main benefits:
The true cure to the the problem is addressed, vs just suppressing or trying to mask the symptoms
Patient empowerment
Lasting healthy changes that continue even when the patient is better, so they are less likely to develop other conditions
Holistic medicine can address health problems in which conventional medicine has no solution
Hormonal balance without birth control
May eliminate the need for surgery (eg. vocal cord nodules, uterine fibroids, LEEP)
Principles of holistic medicine
These are the holistic principles that I follow:
Do no harm
Preventive medicine
The healing power of nature
Doctor as teacher
Treat the whole person
Address the root cause
Examples of holistic remedies
These are some examples of holistic remedies that I may recommend to my patients:
Nutrients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids)
Mind-body (meditation, guided imagery, breathe work)
If you’re interested in learning more about how holistic medicine in New York City can help you, contact me or book an appointment today! I also offer virtual appointments.